Luke 14. I spent 10+ years living in Africa, so when I read this command, it makes me laugh: “Do not sit down in a place of honor… go and sit in the lowest place.” (14:8,10) Living and working in another culture can be so interesting and enjoyable as there are so many new things to explore and learn. It can also be a minefield of mishaps waiting to happen, since it’s not your culture and you do not always correctly interpret what you see and what you think is happening.

My husband and I were invited to this very fancy National Geographic type event once (with the Sultan of Bamoun, at the Royal Palace in Foumban, Cameroon – if you want to google it). There were lots of dignitaries and local leaders in flowing robes, with leopard skin capes, cowrie shell head dresses, and all sorts of central African fanciness. Everywhere we looked there was color, amazing décor and fabric, and tradition. It was amazing. We were ushered into a large room where people were waiting for an audience with the sultan. It was crowded. Some people were sitting, others milling about shoulder to shoulder – and it was hot. I spied an empty large chair along the wall and husband and I both squeezed into it. Not even three minutes later a very official looking guard came over to tell us that the big fancy chair was not for us and we needed to move immediately. I was mortified, and everyone was watching. We made a bunch of apologies and looked duly horrified, and hopefully everyone just blamed it on us being ignorant foreigners. Opps!

After that mishap, whenever we were invited to a wedding or a parade or some big event, we always chose to just stand in the sun or to sit in some chairs away from the front. It was much better to have to host come to us and invite us to sit up on the platform, on the fancy couches, in the shade, where people brought us drinks – then to assume that we belonged up there!! “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (14:11)

In Luke 14 Jesus is at a dinner party with people who are the dignitaries and rulers of their day. His first story reminds them not to think too highly of themselves. This call to humility is repeated throughout scripture. “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to” (Romans 12:3) “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5).

His second story calls them to be generous and invite those who cannot repay their kindness (Luke 14:12-14). This concern for others is also a common scriptural theme. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

It’s difficult to see pride in ourselves. We tend to think we have humility, but often we do not.

Ask God to show you if there is a lack of humility in your life. Do you take credit for things that were a gift to you? Are you preoccupied with yourself, how others perceive you, and how you might be more appealing? When you’re dining with someone else, how much of the conversation is about you? We tend to spend a lot of time thinking about ourselves. Jesus is asking us to be less preoccupied with self, and more interested in other people.

What stood out to you from Luke 14?